UVa's Monica Wright was Destined for Coaching

On a summer day Wright is at a girls basketball camp, helping teach some young ladies the fundamentals of the game.

Monday, June 17th 2019, 4:22 PM EDT

Updated:

Monday, June 17th 2019, 7:12 PM EDT

Edited by Marty Hudtloff

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) -
Monica Wright is back in Charlottesville and doing what she loves, coaching.

Wright is one of the newest assistant coaches for the UVa women's basketball team.

On a summer day she's at a girls basketball camp, helping teach some young ladies the fundamentals of the game.

"I think for the most part just keeping them in a healthy mindset about the game of basketball and just understanding what it is to be a good teammate at that age," says Wright. "The selfless and encouragement you need to give."

Wright was a three-time All-American at Virginia. She broke Dawn Staley's all-time scoring record at Virginia in 2010. Even back then Wright says she felt like a coach on the court.

"I think it's something I've always pointed to since I picked up a basketball," says Wright. "Just been fighting it a little bit because I wanted to play. But it is something that I'm absolutely walking in my purpose right now, enjoying every day of it."

Wright played professionally in the WNBA with current Cavs coach Tina Thompson. Thompson won two championships with the Minnesota Lynx.

Wright began her coaching career a couple years ago at Incarnate Ward in San Antonio before last year serving as an assistant at Liberty.

"My job is to encourage," says Wright. "My job is to help them be as prepared as possible for games and I enjoy doing that."

Wright is a Virginia native and now returns to her alma mater where a big part of her job will be to recruit some of the best high school players to UVa.

"It's just a matter of having someone on staff who has walked in their shoes and can tell them I've been through it, this is how we navigate," says Wright. "We have everything we need to succeed."